Machinegunboards.com TSMG Reference Thread Index

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The intent of this pinned thread is to create an index of the most informative posts regarding the Thompson Submachine Gun that have been generated on Machinegunboards.com. As time allows, I will add threads that are recommended to me, or that I consider valuable for specific information. If you would like a thread to be considered for listing here, please contact David Albert at dalbert@sturmgewehr.com. This will be another work in progress...Thanks to TD for the suggestion!

The Development Of The Thompson Sub Machinegun, by Theodore H. Eickhoff- This was supplied by "full auto 45," and is a text written by Theodore Eickhoff, an Auto-Ordnance engineer who made the Thompson Submachine Gun a reality.http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=7304

Calvin Goddard, Law Enforcement Forensics, and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre Thompsons - This thread shows the TATA Display at the 2008 NRA Convention in Louisville, which was based on the work of Dr. Calvin Goddard, and his contributions to law enforcement forensics as a result of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Both SVDM Thompsons were featured in the display.http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=9399Another good thread on the SVDM Thompsons, written when "gijive" began working with Berrien County to learn more about the guns.http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=7240I have to throw this one in, also...http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=7060

The "Replica" Thread - This is the longest and most read thread in Machinegunboards.com history. Take a day off from work, read it, and formulate your opinion about the succession of the Thompson through the years...http://www.machinegu...);">5769</span>

The American Thompson Association/Dallas Arms Collectors Association Thompson Display at the 2007 NRA Convention in St. Louis - If you'd like to see an incredible display featuring a range of Thompson guns and accessories, take a look at the pictures posted in this thread.http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=8127

Collector Interest

Buying Your First Thompson? - See this Example of Why You Must be Careful, and Fully Informed - Here is a thread that discusses what was advertised as an original Bridgeport manufactured Thompson, but is actually a reweld made up of at least two different guns. There is much technical expertise demonstrated, as well as collector information that all should read if they plan to purchase a Thompson.

Home Guard Special Units Thompson Chests– This thread studies a scarce British WWII Thompson accessory, which was a wooden chest built specifically for a Thompson and accessories.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=11386

Highlighting Receiver Markings - This post has some suggestions regarding how to use various marking agents to highlight numbers and markings on Thompsons, drums, and magazines.http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=5640

Colt Thompson vs. Savage Thompson Vertical Grip Comparison - Check this thread out if you would like to know the differences between a Colt and a Savage vertical forergrip. Thanks to "deerslayer" for his analysis contained in the post.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=11466

Thompson Rear Grip Comparisons - This details differences between different manufacturers or rear grips for TSMGs.

Russian Lend-Lease Thompsons- This thread covers a trip that board member "Schatzperson" took to view and document a large number of Russian Lend-Lease Thompsons in Europe that were being sold. These are the same Thompsons from which many parts kits have been sold to the U.S.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=10382The following link displays a list of serial numbers from the "Mother Lode" of Russian Thompsons referenced above. You may have to click on the image, once it loads, to be able to view it in full size.Russian Lend-Lease Thompson "Mother Lode" Serial Number List

"C" Overstamps on WWII Era Bridgeport Thompsons - Very interesting thread regarding overstamp markings found on WWII Thompsons that were not procured for military use.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=11752

Identifying Savage and Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport Manufactured Thompsons - This thread covers inspector markings on all Thompsons, and highlights the differences between TSMGs manufactured by Savage and Auto-Ordnance.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=20691

Commonwealth Small Arms Training Pamphlets on the Thompson - Explore the various different Small Arms Training Pamphlets on the Thompson published by Commonwealth countries, as well as other variants. This thread was started by UK member "rpbcps."http://www.machinegu...showtopic=21771

Technical Interest

West Hurley and Kahr Semi-Automatic Thompsons - Firing Pin Protrusion - Warning! Do not alter the firing pin length of a semi-automatic Thompson! It is part of the design, and altering it may be considered by ATF as manufacturing a machine gun. Please read the thread at the link below.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=13762

West Hurley and Kahr Semi-Automatic Thompsons - Magazine Catch Modifications w/ Photos - This post shos how to modify a semi-auto magazine catch so that it will accept USGI magazines.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=14128

Inspecting & Testing West Hurley Model 1928 Thompson Locking Slots & Possible Cracked Receivers - If you own a West Hurley Model 1928 Thompson SMG, chances are good that the Blish lock locking slots were machined incorrectly, and may add stress to the receiver of the weapon over time. This tutorial by Paul Krogh (PK) of Diamond K will walk you through an inspection and test you can perform to check for issues.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=12622

M1928A1 Extractors Losing Their "Flex" - Reconbob tells how to test extractors to determine if they have lost their "flex" after being in a Thompson bolt for 70 years.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=14593

Barrel Thread/Installation Difficulties - I found this thread particularly useful for the information about barrel thread tolerances, and what to do if you experience trouble installing a barrel.http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=9768

A Caution About Shooting Regular Ammo Through Blank Barrels - I'm including this link in the hope that it will help someone in the future. If you are shooting ball ammo, and blanks through the same barrel, please consider reading this post.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=11956

Information on Thompson and Reising Actual Rates of Fire (RPM) -This is an excellent post by Jim C 351 where he compares rates of fire in Thompson and Reising Submachine Guns.

Sample Freedom of Information Act Form - Use the information in this post of you want to file a Freedom of Information Act request with BATF for an NFA firearm that you own. Be advised that it's possible for a fee to be associated with your request to BATF for this service, but most requests are processed without a fee.http://www.machinegu...?showtopic=5587

Why NFA Transferable Firearms Can't Be Owned by More Than One Person Without a Trust or Corporation - Very insightful thread on the history of the NFA, in response to an inquiry about dual title ownership of NFA firearms.http://www.machinegu...showtopic=20319